“This victory has otherwise united our country, and it is unfortunate that this code name was chosen,” Akaka said, according to prepared remarks for an oversight hearing this afternoon.

“That Native Americans have concerns over the unintended impacts of connecting the name of Geronimo with Osama bin Laden, in the face of their overwhelming sense of patriotism and service, only highlights the need for the larger discussion we are having today,” Akaka said.

Earlier this week, Senate Indian Affairs Committee staff director Loretta Tuell criticized the use of “Geronimo” in the bin Laden operation, saying it was inappropriate to link Geronimo with the former Al Qaeda leader and mastermind of the Sept. 11 attacks.